SEATTLE— The deal to acquire right-hander Shane Bieber at this year’s trade deadline was never about what he could do during the regular season. It was an opportunity for the Blue Jays to gamble on a high-upside arm that had the potential to become a difference maker in the playoffs.

Prior to undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2024, Bieber was a reliable front-of-the rotation piece. The former Cy Young Award winner had the ability to win games almost by himself and help steal a series. The talent was tantalizing, even for a team that already had a full complement of starting pitchers.

The Jays now are hoping the healthy hired gun will rescue their season. Down 2-0 in the best of-seven American League championship series , a loss to the Seattle Mariners in Game 3 Wednesday would all

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